A motor vehicle accident can be caused by a variety of factors, from a driver error to a malfunctioning vehicle. Recently, General Motors has found itself faced with a difficult situation related to questions surrounding why it took the company nearly 10 years to recall 1.6 million vehicles with faulty ignition switches linked to accidents.
Many people in Virginia, as well as those in other parts of the country, drive a GM vehicle. While they expect their car to be safe, this recent news has them wondering if they are in good hands when they take to the road.
As a result of the GM recall and potential delays in initiating the recall, the House Energy and Commerce Committee is moving forward with a full-blown investigation.
The company initiated a recall on Feb. 13, noting that a faulty ignition switch could turn off a vehicle while it is in motion, while also disabling the air bags. While the recall is a good thing, the bad part is that GM employees were first made aware of the defect in 2004.
Before the recall ever came to light, GM was faced with a lawsuit related to problems with the ignition switches.
This story shows how important it is for car manufacturers to make recalls at the appropriate time. While nobody knows for sure, there is a chance that quicker action on behalf of GM could have helped many people avoid a motor vehicle accident.
In the event of an accident related to a defective vehicle, injured parties and their families may have a right to seek compensation. An experienced Virginia personal injury attorney can provide more information on how to pursue such action.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, “Congress to Investigate GM Recall” Jeff Bennett, Mar. 10, 2014